The GIID Awards were created to recognize and celebrate bold leadership, pioneering practices, and transformative districts––both long-standing pioneers and emerging changemakers that are shaping the future of innovation around the world.
The Awards
Trailblazer Award
An early or emerging district that is charting new, groundbreaking pathways important to the advancement of innovation districts. This district will be pioneering approaches or strategies that demonstrate, even at an early stage, a command of their unique value proposition and R&D strengths as they position themselves as drivers of economic growth, technological advancement, and societal impact.
Lighthouse Award
A mature or more established innovation district that has uniquely, and distinctively, developed over time, offering powerful insights and inspiration for others. This district will have made significant impact harnessing their unique R&D capabilities, scaling solutions for the market, making a sizable contribution to its local and regional growth and competitiveness. Further, it is a district that even under times of difficulty, pivoted or devised new strategies that strengthened its unique value proposition.
District Champion
Recognition of an individual demonstrating extraordinary leadership, vision and unwavering commitment in advancing an innovation district. This person will have stepped out in front, especially in times of challenge or duress, to drive an ambitious agenda. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable expertise and thought-provoking insights on the “how to” of innovation districts.
Over 50 submissions from five global regions were reviewed by an independent jury. The winners were announced and honored during the Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 10, as part of the inaugural GIID Global Summit in Monterrey, Mexico. These awards honor the individuals and districts that are redefining what it means to lead with purpose and impact.
GIID recognizes Kendall Square with the Lighthouse Award not only for its early start and continued work to align some of the world’s most highly esteemed R&D powerhouses, but also for its commitment to grow and adapt, such as through the creation of an affordable housing fund.
GIID recognizes Jodie Eastwood with the inaugural Lighthouse District Champion Award for her tireless commitment and record of accomplishment in driving an inclusive economy through ambitious workforce training at one of the few places on the planet with such a profound concentration of assets and prominence.
GIID recognizes the Monterrey Innovation District with the inaugural Trailblazer Award for planting seeds long ago to realize a bold and comprehensive vision through deep partnerships and alignment across industry, community and anchors to address the most urgent needs for residents in the region and across the country.
GIID recognizes Christine Wergeland Sorbye with the Trailblazer District Champion Award for her steadfast ambitions and collaborative accomplishments in orchestrating Oslo Science City from its very beginnings.
International Awards Jury
Alice Drew
General Manager for Place Futures
Lendlease
Graydon Pleasants (Jury Co-Chair)
Former Head of Development
Innovation Quarter
Jeff Merritt
Head of Urban Transformation
World Economic Forum
Julie Wagner
President & Co-Founder
GIID
Pamela Puchalski (Jury Co-Chair)
Vice President & Co-Founder
GIID
Paolo Bortolin
Deputy CFO
City of Lugano
Sean Luther
Executive Director
InnovativePGH
These awards confer peer recognition of broad accomplishments across a complex field of practice
These awards highlight a growing global movement around place-based innovation. Through broad-based partnerships, these leaders and districts are creating lasting economic and social value, while also serving as inspiration and role models for others looking to unlock their potential.
Special recognition by GIID
Lendlease
Accepted by Stefano Minini, Project Director – Science and Tech (Europe)
GIID recognized Lendlease, a global property and infrastructure group, for its sustained and long-term commitment to GIID’s practice-oriented research and mission to advance place-based innovation ecosystems.
Ventas
Accepted by Tim Sanders, Senior Vice President of Business Development
GIID recognized Ventas, a U.S. real estate investment trust, for its foundational support of GIID’s work to accelerate the evolution of innovation districts globally.
